Northside Marketing Task Force Response Re: Publicity, Outreach For Northside Housing Fair

Photo By John Hoff

Some discussion took place on this blog about whether the Northside Housing Fair was adequately publicized by the Northside Marketing Task Force. Blogger Don Allen, who makes a living in marketing, didn't get word about the housing fair and didn't think it was adequately publicized. 

What follows is NMTF Vice Chair Mike Kestner's response to Don Allen.

Don,

The primary 2009 Housing Fair organizer was...


... John Helgeland. John, in my eyes, has done a fantastic job in putting on this great event over the last four years with a team of volunteers. John remains a true champion of North Minneapolis, who continues to bring community together across all lines.

The Northside Marketing Task Force (NMTF) role this year as a Co-Producer of the Housing Fair was to learn through active volunteerism the planning process, with the NMTF taking over planning and production (with community partners
supporting in co-production) in 2010.

I know John sent out numerous emails to many community members enlisting their volunteer planning support starting in early fall 2008. Apparently you did not receive this communication. It sounds to me that you would have been an interested volunteer.

I'm sorry we did not see you in attendance this past Saturday, given your obvious interest and concern. The NMTF contracted The Carney Group to take photographs and video of the event.

You can view the photos here:

www.northminneapolis.com/north_housing_fair

Overall, I think the North Housing and Home Improvement Fair was a success. We were competing with very nice weather and still managed to have turnout equal to last year, I'm told. There were many families in attendance, and the diversity of the North Minneapolis community was evident. There were 12 seminars covering a gamut of topics of interest, and community organizations were well represented.

The NMTF table had well over 200 visitors, as we gave out North Minneapolis t-shirts, brochures and continued to spread the positive message of living, working and recreating in our community. We also had a thick binder of historical home and building photos gathered from the MN Historical Society.

I can also tell you that Northside Marketing Task Force members were on KMOJ's "Voices of the African American Community" program this past week promoting the Housing Fair.

So I would say it was a success, and as with all worthwhile ventures, it could always stand to improve. I'm proud of the NMTF's involvement with this fair, and look forward to helping shape this event in the future.

We hope to involve your communications skills in promoting this event in the future!

Thanks,

Mike Kestner
Northside Marketing Task Force